Absentee indicator



March 13, 1962 D. N. GRUNDBERG 3,024,555

ABSENTEE INDICATOR Filed June 2, 1960 GONE TO1:BT.AT/ 5 LUNCHE] a 5 n 9 L com-7 I0 As I7 SHOP M ENG.

DONALD N. GRUNDBERG INVENTOR.

. ATTORNEY nite States The present invention relates to an indicating device and more particularly to such a device that may be used to indicate the whereabouts of the user and his anticipated time of return to a given location.

There is a great need in modern business and in the home for a simple device that can be attached to a telephone, desk calendar, or other convenient piece of equipment for quickly and clearly designating the destination of absent personnel and their time of return. Although handwritten notes will serve the purpose, it is necessary to prepare the note and to display it prominently so that it will not be overlooked. As is common knowledge in any large ofiice group, frequently such notes are lost, or mislaid, or completely overlooked with the result that the whereabouts of important personnel is not known, sometimes with serious consequences.

The present invention is designed to avoid the foregoing difiiculties and to provide a simple, durable, and convenient absentee indicating device. It comprises a frame for positioning a placard which states a number of possible destinations and a numerical indication of the hours of the day. Adjustable sliders, associated with the frame, may be positioned to designate a particular destination and a particular time at which the user will return. The frame is adapted to be securely and rapidly attached to a telephone by means of an auxiliary bracket. As an alternative, the frame may be inserted in a socket provided in equipment, such as notepad holders and calendars.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that an object of the present invention is to provide an improved indicating device for general use.

A further object of the invention is to provide an indicating device displaying information to which attention may be drawn by means of adjustable members.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an absentee indicator including adjustable members for selectively designating the destination and time of return of the absentee user.

A further object is to provide an indicator that may be simply and effectively attached to a telephone or other piece of equipment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unitary frame having integral means for removably supporting a placard with which may be associated a protective covering.

A further object is to provide in association with the frame a resilient member for receiving a calling card or additional information to which it is desired to draw attention.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a frame and supporting bracket that may be easily assembled to form a single structure without the use of auxiliary fasteners.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims; the invention itself, however, both as to its organization and use, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment When read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of an indicator embodying the novel principles of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the indicator shown in FIGURE 1;

*ate'nt O FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view of the indicator taken on plane 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 shows to a reduced scale a telephone to which the novel indicator of the present invention is removably secured; and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a notepad holder with which the novel indicator is releasably engaged.

Directing attention first to 'FIGURE 1, an indicator is shown comprising a frame, generally designated 1, releasably engaged with a bracket 2. As will be understood readily from a study of FIGURES 1 and 3, the frame comprises a unitary structure including a planar rear portion 3, with in-turned lateral edges 4 and 5. As shown in FIGURE 3, each lateral edge comprises a generally cylindrical section 6 terminating in an inwardly extending planar portion 7. The planar portions are spaced from the rear portion 3 to provide parallel opposed guideways 8 and 9 for slidably receiving a placard 10 and, optionally, a transparent cover sheet 11 for protecting the surface of the placard.

The bracket 2 includes a planar portion 12 formed integrally with a curved section 13 which terminates in bent edge 14. As will be explained, this edge may be used for attaching the indicator to a telephone.

Planar portion 12 includes at its upper extremity a tab 15 of reduced width. The material from which the bracket is made is of such a thickness that it fits snugly in the guideways 8 and 9. Thus, the frame 1 may be thrust over the tab 15 until it abuts shoulder 16 of the bracket which limits the engagement of frame and bracket.

Slidably engaged with the in-turned edges of the frame are adjustable resilient sliders 17 and 18 which may be adjusted vertically with respect to the frame, as will be explained.

Directing attention to FIGURE 4, it will be noted that the edge 14 may be clamped between the rear wall 19 of a telephone base and the resilient feet 20 of the telephone. This may be easily accomplished by loosening the screws from the bottom of the telephone sufliciently to permit introduction of bent edge 14 below wall 19. When the telephone is re-assembled, the indicator is firmly secured in up-right position at the rear of the telephone. Curved section 13 permits passage of the telephone wire without interference.

The use of the indicator may now be considered.

Directing attention first to FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the placard 10 includes a list of designations at the left and the hours of the day at the right. The particular designations are written on the card by the user to suit his particular routine. By moving slider 17 to a particular destination and slider 18 to a particular time, the user can indicate to his associates that he has gone, for instance, to the shop, and will return at 2:00 P.M. People visiting the users usual location will readily note the information designated on the indicator attached to the telephone. If desirable, the visitor may leave a message or calling card by thrusting it beneath spring clip 22 that may be attached, as by riveting, to the back of frame 1.

It should be recognized that the bracket 2 need not be used in connection with the frame 1. This is illustrated by FIGURE 5 which shows a notepad holder 30 defining a slot 31 for removably receiving the lower end of the frame. Similarly, the frame may he slipped into a slot formed in a desk calender. If desired, the body of the notepad holder or desk calendar may include a projection comparable to tab 15 shown in FIGURE 1 with which the frame 1 may be engaged.

It is important to note certain characteristics of the indicator herein disclosed. The frame 1 is sufiiciently rigid that the placard is firmly supported, so much so that the user may Write directly on it additional destinations or messages as he may wish. Further, by its nature, the indicator is a rugged but simple piece of equipment that may be displayed prominently. This guarantees that people will readily note the indicator and take advantage of the information imparted by it. It is noteworthy that the placard 10 may be easily replaced, as will be occasionally required when the device changes hands or the user desires to use a different group of destinations.

The in-turned edges of the frame not only present a pleasing appearance but lend rigidity to the structure while simultaneously serving as a clamp for securing the frame to the bracket or other supporting device. The in-turned edges are also adapted to hold the placard and a protective transparent surface member, such as a clear sheet of plastic. They also act as rails along which the sliders 17 and 18 may be adjusted, the back of the frame and planar edges 7 preventing rotation of the sliders relative to the frame. The sloping upper extremities of the laterally in-turned edges, indicated at 40 and 41, facilitate introduction of the placard to the frame.

It will be noted that the frame may be molded from plastic or may be fabricated from a single sheet of metal. The sliders may be molded from plastic and may be made in gay colors, both for decorative purposes and as a means for drawing attention to the information displayed by the indicator. The resilience of the sliders assures that they will grip the frame and hold their adjusted positions.

It is noteworthy that the indicator may be attached to a telephone and may be removed at will without damage to the telephone.

For convenience, the present invention has been illustrated with particular reference to ofiice use. It will be clearly apparent that the indicator lends itself equally well to use in the home. It may be attached to a telephone, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, or to any other suitable piece of home furnishing in accordance with the needs of the user.

Having described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I claim:

1. A placard holder comprising a frame having a planar wall bounded by lateral edges, each of said edges comprising a generally cylindrical section formed intogrally with a planar portion parallel to and overlying said planar wall, said planar portions and planar wall being parallel and spaced to define guideways, the extremities of said lateral edges sloping away from said planar wall, and at least one resilient slider in slidable engagement with one of said lateral edges, said slider being internally contoured to engage a portion of said planar wall and said cylindrical section of its associated lateral edge.

2. An attachment for securing a placard to a telephone having a base defined by vertical walls and resilient feet comprising a frame including parallel opposing guideways for engaging a placard; and a bracket including a planar tab dimensioned to be inserted in said guideways and engaged thereby, said bracket having a curved section depending from said planar tab terminating in an upturned bent edge dimensioned to span the distance separating said resilient feet and dimensioned to be inserted between a vertical wall and said resilient feet and clamped in place by said feet.

3. In combination a telephone having a base defined by vertical walls which are spaced slightly above spaced resilient feet, a placard holder comprising a frame having a planar wall bounded by lateral edges defining parallel opposed guideways for engaging a placard, and a bracket depending from said frame terminating in an up turned bent edge which is dimensioned to span the distance separating said spaced resilient feet and to be inserted between a vertical wall and said resilient feet and to be clamped in place by said feet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,444,358 Rand Feb. 6, 1923 1,523,305 Spiro Jan. 13, 1925 1,650,070 Hansman Nov. 22, 1927 1,888,811 Tilley Nov. 22, 1932 1,972,959 Taylor Sept. 11, 1934 1,992,487 Jones Feb. 26, 1935 2,050,136 Tucker et al. Aug. 4, 1936 2,434,860 Oxley Jan. 20, 1948 2,480,614 Spargo Aug. 30, 1949 2,860,430 McKewen Nov. 18, 1958 2,981,021 Clark Apr. 25, 1961 

